u have passed
through the experiences Wilkinson has given me a sketch of, we must have
your life, man, we must have your life--for the booksellers."

Well, I need not detain you by reciting all the civilities and
congratulations which he and I exchanged. He and Wilkinson had arrived
at Deal at three o'clock that afternoon, and, after a hurried meal, had
hired a lugger and started at once for Beachy Head. It was now three
o'clock in the morning; and what I may consider a truly extraordinary
circumstance is, that they had sailed as true a course for the schooner
as if she had lain plain to the gaze at the very start; that since the
night had drawn down they had met no vessel of any kind or description,
until they came up to us; that in all probability they would have run
stem on into us if they had not seen our lights, and that their seeing
our lights had caused them to hail us, their "ship ahoy!" being
instantly answered by Cromwell.

"Well," said I, "there are stranger things to tell of than this, even.
Now, Wilkinson, and you Billy, and Cromwell, get us a good supper and
mix a proper bowl. How many more of you are in the lugger?"

"Four, sir," says one of the boatmen.

"Then fetch as many as may safely leave the boat," said I. "Billy, get
candles and make a good light here. Throw on coal, boys; there's enough
to carry us home."

I saw Mason gazing curiously about him.

"'Tis like a tale out of the Arabian Nights, Paul," he exclaimed.

"Ay," said I, "but written in bitter prose, and no hint of enchantment
anywhere. But, thank God, you are come! I have passed a dismal time of
expectation, I promise you." I added softly, "I have something
secret--we will sup first, man--I shall amaze you! We must talk apart
presently."

He bowed his head.

Three more boatmen arrived, giving us the company of five of them. Soon
there was a hearty sound of frying and a smell of good things upon the
air. Pitt put plates and glasses upon the cabin table, two great bowls
of punch were brewed, and in a little time we had all fallen to. I
whispered Wilkinson, who sat next me, "These boatmen know nothing of our
business; I shall have to take Mr. Mason apart and arrange with him.
These fellows may not be fit for our service. Let no hint escape you."

"Right, sir," said he.

This I said to disarm his suspicions should he see me talking alone with
Mr. Mason. He entertained us with an account of his excursion to London;
and then, partly